The lyrics and the video are based on a short story by Del James called Without You. The story is part of a collection called The Language Of Fear, which was brought back to market in 2008 after being out of print. The new version of the book contains an intro by Axl Rose, who wrote: "Del James has a personal knowledge of most of the situations he writes about, and has a love of the gutter from having been there." James contributed lyrics to two Guns N' Roses songs: "The Garden" and "Yesterdays," and has directed several music videos.
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Suggestion credit: Dejaye - Wagga, Australia

Written by Axl Rose, the original version of this song was 25-minutes long, and was edited down to 8:59. It is the longest ever Top 10 hit and contains the longest guitar solo in a Top 10 single.

Slash actually plays two guitar solos in the song. Rose put the song's lengthy gestation period down to opposition from Slash and Duff McKagan.
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Suggestion credit: Joe - Boston, MA and Cole - Watertown, NY

The video was directed by Andy Morahan, who had done the popular George Michael videos for "Father Figure" and "Faith," and worked with GnR on "Don't Cry" and "You Could Be Mine."

A huge production, the "November Rain" video cost over $1.5 million to make, but reaped rewards for the band, as it got a lot of play on MTV. It stars actress and model Stephanie Seymour, Axl Rose's girlfriend at the time. In the video, she and Axl get married with Slash serving as best man and the rest of the band in the front row. After the wedding, it starts raining and the next scene is Stephanie's funeral in the same church.

Slash (from Q magazine, July 2004): "We got into doing these huge production videos and by 'November Rain' it was too much, just too involved. At the end of the day it was a great video but that's when I started realizing that it was getting out of hand."

This won for best cinematography at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, where it also received a Video Vanguard award. Guns N' Roses performed this at the end of the show with Elton John on piano.

The albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II were released simultaneously. This was a bold move, but the band was huge and the albums both sold very well. When they were released, Use Your Illusion II was the #1 album in the US, followed by Use Your Illusion I. The last time an artist had the top two albums at the same time was in 1974, when two Jim Croce albums held the top spots shortly after his death.

The album was released in September 1991, but this came out as a single in February 1992.

Shannon Hoon from the group Blind Melon sang backup. Hoon, who died of a drug overdose in 1995, grew up in Lafayette, Indiana near Axl Rose.

Matt Sorum replaced Steven Adler as GnR drummer in 1990. A former session drummer and bandmate of Tori Amos, his classical training helped bring a more classical sensibility to the band, which is best heard on this song. In our interview with Sorum, he explained that the drum pattern came together after they had been rehearsing the song, and Axl and Matt found themselves in the studio enjoying take-out from Greenblatt's Deli. Axl, a big Elton John fan, put on the song "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," which gave Matt an idea.

"I said, 'God, listen to the tom toms on that,'" Matt recalls. "And Axl goes, 'Yeah, that's cool. So epic.' I go, 'What if I use that sort of a phrase as pieces of the song, almost like a melody that would work into the song structure.'"

Discussing the orchestral elements in the song, Matt explained: "I worked on the arrangements for those songs, the way they broke down and the dynamics. The band wasn't really that dynamic when I joined. It was a rock band, like 'Go for it.' Just loud. 'When we're on, it's loud.' And I came from an orchestral upbringing and classical music - I was in wind ensemble. I sounded crazy to them: 'We need pianissimo instrumental right here and mezzo forte right here.' And they'd go, 'What?!?'

Pianissimo means 'quiet.' And here we're doing mezzo forte. That means 'medium loud.' Now, we're going to go double forte here, which means, Okay, go back to your regular volume. I would explain all these sections to the band, and I said, 'This needs to be a journey, you need to take people on a journey to this song.' So that's what we did on 'November Rain.'"

Axl Rose was working on this as early as 1983. Former L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns said: "When we were doing that EP for L.A. Guns, like in 1983, he was playing 'November Rain' on piano. Way back then. It was the only thing Axl knew how to play, but it was his. He'd go: 'Someday this song is gonna be really cool.' And I'd go: 'It's cool now. But it's not done, you know.' And like anytime we'd be at a hotel or anywhere there'd be a piano, he'd just kinda play that music. And I'd go: 'When are you gonna finish that already, you know?' And he'd go: 'I don't know what to do with it.'"
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Suggestion credit: Rayan - Lincoln, England

According to Matt Sorum, "November Rain," "Don't Cry" and "Estranged" were conceived as one song, and the three tracks form a trilogy of sorts. Sorum played the same drum fill throughout those three songs, and took some criticism for doing so - notably from former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.

Sorum points out that this was intentional, a way of unifying the songs. "That was my part in tying enough songs together to make it one voice," he told us.

The outfit lead guitarist Slash is wearing in the music video for "November Rain" can be seen at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida.
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Suggestion credit: Anthony - Mesquite, TX

Slash revealed in his autobiography that an early 18-minute version of the song was recorded at a session with Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton in 1986, before the sessions for Appetite For Destruction began.

The guy who crashes through the wedding cake around the 7-minute mark of the video is Riki Rachtman, host of the MTV show Headbangers Ball. He and Axl Rose were friends.

Comments: 166

Such a beautiful song.Mt - California

This was played at literally every prom in 1991. That's amazing. Every senior was blessed with dancing to this. Funny how at one minute GNR can make a dark, rough song like "welcome to the jungle" or "my Michelle" but then be all innocent and sensitive like "November rain" or "sweet child of mine"Janeen Skokani - Dearborn

Check out the "Making of the November Rain" Video in YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpnFBX4aKWMJ - Corpus Christi, Tx

I saw this video and know for a fact that there was a shooting scene in the video, that is why you have the guy diving over the table, the wine which is suppose to resemble blood and the death of the bride. I wish I would have recorded this video when I had the chance.Dj - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

I got to see this song performed live when G&R was on tour with Metallica and Faith No More. Metallica talks about their experience with the G&R antics on this tour on their VH1 Behind the Music Special, but we got to see it first hand. Faith no More payed, then Metallica (James Hetfield had his arm in a cast from the injury he received during the tour), then G&R came on stage. Axl Rose was obviously wasted and it was not long before he was shouting obscenities and inexplicable political opinions at the audience instead of performing. This went on throughout the entire performance and got so bad that people began streaming out of the stadium willing to leave rather than deal with his behavior. We stayed the whole time and even though I love this song.....I cannot say it was worth staying through the tirade just to hear it. The bad thing was this was the beginning of the end for G&R...........the really good thing, was that I got introduced to Metallica for the first time and have been a fan ever since!Laura - El Paso, Tx

I sob like a broken-hearted teenage girl every time I hear/see this song/video. Then I laugh my ass off, hysterically, for about 9 minutes, then I start sobbing all over again. It makes me feel not-normal when I do that. Anybody else have a similar reaction? Please say yes -- or I'll have to kill my cat. God bless . . . this mess . . . He created!!!Fredrick - Jacksonville, Fl

"November Rain" is indeed a musical/video masterpiece. It set records as the longest song to make it in the top ten and as the most expensive video on record. The "Use Your Illusion 1 & 2 set records for being both number 1 & 2 at the same time on the billboard charts.All the players of G & R contributed to their greatness, but Axl's voice & Slash's guitar virtousity: kismet. I love this video and song. But Patience is my all time fav. It is Flawless. It shows a band that can not only rock their azz off, but play an acoustic ballad with tremedouselouquence. I wish they would reunite at least for one album. Show the world what tock is suppose to be.Rl - Springdale, Ar

November Rain is a song about not wanting to deal with love that isn't mutual or recipicated, basically unrequited love, and Estranged is a follow up of November Rain, it's about acknowledging the fact of unrequited love... and being in that situation. Axl said this basic idea of this comment in an interview.Lanna - Los Angeles, Ca

"When your fears subside and shadows still remain"....November Rain is one unbelievable peice of work. But Iam still searching for the oroginal 25 min version of this masterpiece.Kartik - Hyderabad, India

Sofija: It's not a nickname. "W. Axl Rose" is his legal name now, so it very much is his -real- name. As for the one insulting it, well, who cares? Who's the one who's famous, again? That's what I thought.April - Birmingham, Al

Brian and DJ: where are you getting your information from, about this mafia scene? If that's true, then Axl heavily strayed from "Without You", the short story this was based on. That's likely why the video was edited, if what you two say is true. The girl, Elizabeth, shoots herself after interrupting Mayne (Axl) with a groupie. "Number one with a bullet" is the note she leaves. That's what happened in the video, though they left it out so you'd read the story.April - Birmingham, Al

The opening sentence in Part 2 of Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, reads: "They read the long afternoon through while the COLD NOVEMBER RAIN fell from the sky upon the quiet house." Anybody know of any connection?Ryan - Buffalo, Ny

Unlike anything that was around at the time it came out. Great song.Gus - Fort Smith, Ar

This is an ok song. A bit too eighties sounding for me. 5/10Ivy - Springfield, Ne

i admire this song,we keep on comparing artists and their songs from anayone we heard, but frankly speaking, in my own understanding, every artist has its own style and uniqueness, whether we are musicians or not, let's just respect them.Louie - Davao, Philippines

This isnt a song, its a musical masterpieceLuke - Dayton, Oh

Could this song be any cooler? Axel Rose proved he could compose a timeless ballad. Still sounds good to this day!Theresa - Murfreesboro, Tn

The best guitar solo ever for me.Olivier - Alma, Qc

This song became really big at a key time in my life: when my then girlfriend broke up with me, and yes, it was in the fall, close to November.Slash absolutely blazes on this one, and the sorrow drifting up from his Les Paul is downright eloquent.Yep, there are plenty of songs about love and love lost, but this puts it well.Also, the november rain metaphor fits perfectly with how it feels when you are in that situation.Cold, alone, and in the dark.Too bad Axl is such an ass that he alienates nearly everyone in his orbit.Oldpink - New Castle, In

It was about the time this song came out that I realized I actually like G&R - of course this was about the time they broke up too - and I just kinda forgot about them. Then a few years ago - it hit me as I was listening to them on the car radio - just how good they were. I feel like I am re-discovering part of my childhood.Linc - Beaumont, Tx

It was about the time this song came out that I realized I actually like G&R - of course this was about the time they broke up too - and I just kinda forgot about them. Then a few years ago - it hit me as I was listening to them on the car radio - just how good they were. I feel like I am re-discovering part of my childhood.Linc - Beaumont, Tx

@Louis, London, England. Yeah, why does the guy jump through the cake? That is like so random. It must have to do w/what got left on the editing room floor: the scenes where the mafia come in and shoot everybody like someone was saying used to be in the video.

I like the video & the song. I love Slash and his hat and hair, but when he doesn't have the hat and sunglasses I get confused about who it is.

When you see their earlier videos and Axle is just like a kid, then he's embracing the edginess like in "Welcome to the Jungle" but then you see here, he's taking sleeping pills just to get to sleep and drinking booze, even when he's playing the piano, you see he's numbing himself because his feelings are too powerful and he must just "keep going" like a good soldier...maybe he doesn't even know why he keeps going.Brian - Eugene, Or

This is the greatest song of the last 3 decades. And the greatest video of all time. Too bad the original Guns n' Roses broke up. Nobody produced music like they did. Never seen a band with only 5 albums in 6 years make it so big and become all-time legends then and there itself.Mayank - Ranchi, India

Duel guitar solos, strings, love lost, love found, anger, raspy voice, and excellent piano make this a song for the ages. November Rain captures the essence of transition into darkness. Whether it be season, musical time period, or relationship the song encapsulates the common phrase of, "All good things must come to pass."John - Portland, Or

...........this song means so much to me..... it reminds me on my first boyfriend.... I watched it over and over again.............ok Don't cry Tanita !...Tanita - Rijeka, Croatia

This would be a great song if at the end he didn't sound like a 7-year-old who just got kicked in the balls. Sure, that's his signature sound, but I don't think it's particularily suited for this sing. Plus ending note, wtf why is it so long?!

Other than that though, pretty good song.John - Eden Prairie, Mn

thats not an orchestra its synthsBlane - Pocola, Ok

This is one of the greatest songs, video that has been made. If I am not mistaken the original video had a scene where the mafia breaks up the wedding reception and begin to shoot at everyone which leads to the death of the bride. Did anybody ever see that video?Dj - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

This is one of the greatest most amazing songs ever. The solos are absolutly amazing! i love this song!!!Becky - Waukesha, Wi

Slash is the one of the best, next to Kirk Hammett (Metallica), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath). Love the solo.Andrew - Bartlett, Tn

You see Slash and GNR everywhere. They put Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O' Mine in Guitar Hero, but this is their best song. It contains one of the greatest solos of all time, and i feel comforted to listen to it because of the line: "Don't you think that you need somebody? Don't you think that you need someone? Everybody needs somebody. You're not the only one. You're not the only one." Powerful, feauring a great orchestra that has stunning abilities. Sometimes I just listen to this song...listen to this song...I know the people who've been hurt for their opinions like in music (as featured in the video) are the ones who love songs like this and songs like Imagine and Eclipse.Ozzy - Fresno, Ca

This song has to be my top favorite song of all time!!! This song means soo much to my fiance that we are going to be using it for our wedding ceremony as I walk down the isle, it will also be the theme song at the reception afterwards. As much as we love this song we also are aware of it's somber lyrics and in order for it to be more appropriate for our wedding, we would like to know if there is any way to find the song without lyrics so that it will be more wedding appropriate. Can anyone help us out??? I have some tributes to GNR (ie string quartets and such) but would love to have the exact versio of the song just without the lyrics...Jennifer - Valencia, Ca

it doesn't matter what time of music ruled when the song was made. Its still a hardcore song. Plus Metallica kicks ass.Ej - Brownwood, Tx

@kayleigh Hewett, plenty of rock (and/or metal) bands mix classical music and rock (and metal) and it works. And metallica just plain sucks, I dont know how they got to be called one of the big 4 of thrash. Axl rose's voice makes me want to kill myself, plus hes a complete priick. But hes a good pianist. : )Yoseph - Cupertino, Ca

This is one of my favourites right now. everybody goes through losing someone and theres millions of songs about it, but this one kinda tells the story from start to end, leaving you feeling good about moving on with your life, at least for me.Brian - Vancouver, Canada

To anyone who thought this song was boring obviously does not get caught up in music that much in the first place. You people think your the sh*t then lets see you play a guitar solo like slash or scream lyrics like axl. At least they had the balls enough to try to mix rock and classic infact they are the only band to pull it off. Unlike metallica who is also one of my favorite bands they didnt make the classic and rock mix work. This group along with Led Zepplin dared to try something diffrent against what was popular at that time. If supposed rock groups had guitar players that were half the men that AC/DC had, or GNR, or Led Zepplin or Metallica then it would not suck. So to you people who slam on GNR you can keep the sh*t that you call music anyday.Kayleigh Hewett - Scottsbluff , Ne

this is by far the worse ballad and worse song ever.I wish this song along with every gnr song was never created, there would be less wars.Don't Have A Mind - Pleasure Town

If this song was released in the 70s it would automatically be considered one of the greatest songs of all time.

But alas it was made in the 90s a time when alternative music ruled. This song's true glory was never realised and here we have people actually debating whether or not this is a decent song.

By the way, the greatest power ballad ever IMO.Jamin - Wollongong, Australia

And when your fears subsideAnd shadows still remainI know that you can love meWhen there's no one left to blameSo never mind the darknessWe still can find a way'Cause nothin' lasts foreverEven cold November rainAWEEEEEEEEESOOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ricky - Shimla

i don't care what you alll have to say, who all like this song, good and who all don't like this ..no issue swith them too. If you ever loved some one or have a charming heart, you will love this song. one of my favorite songs...:-)Ricky - Shimla

it says theres 2 guitar solos but its 3 and theyre awesome solos at that this may be in my top 5 fav songs of alltimeSteven - Chesapeake, Va

To I f*ck your mothers (very wishful thinking, as if any of them wouuld even get close to you) from my home country: Axl is not his name, it's a nickname. the song has one of the best guitar solos ever. I don't know what your problem is, but you go take your frustration out on somebody else (as you are clearly frustrated, if you weren't you wouldn't give yourself the infamous I-F*ck-Your-Mothers nickname, which is EVEN WORSE THAN AXL ROSE.)Sofija - Novi Sad, Serbia

this song isnt boring people who wold just open their eyes would just appreciate it more. a totally underated gnr song, but proved that they werent just axl rose screaming and slash destroying his guitar with every solo. this is pretty, a daring solo and a smooth vocal set for axl. very well doneOzzy - Fresno, Ca

Well i just want to say that november rain is the most boring song i ever listened in my life.Also gnr are a pretty crapy band.I think everybody agrees that axl rose,which is a preety stupid name,is the dumbest singer there is.I Fuck Your Mothers - Pleasure Town, Serbia

How can anybody compare this forgetful tune to STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN! Get real Guns N Roses was a pure waste of decent talent who could not handle their heroin! Led Zeppelin played for years on the stuff! And it destroyed the originality of Guns N Roses! If you can't handle your heroin find something you can handle, and write some songs that become classics not just another tune that is lost in the "forgotten song because it was not very good category"Darrell - Williamsburg, Ky

By far the greatest video of all time, if you look at the overall rhythm, orchestra, theme, lyrics, vocals and music (especially guitar/ piano and drums), I would rate this higher than Stairway to Heaven anyday :)Mayank - Ranchi, India

estranged, november, sweet child, and welcome to the jungle best gnr songs in that order with pretty tied up and night train alittle behindJeeves - Dc, Dc

is this the perfect song? the same could be asked about sweet child of mine. near perfection!Joseph - Canton, Ga

R.I.P. DIMEBAG. Anybody that did not think dime could play is a idiot. Lists are for what? It all comes down to what you like.GnR is a whole different style. I like any musician that plays what he or she is feeling and not comercial (deleted) .Slash plays from the hart and uses different scales dime was a satch student but played much more insane and unpredictable Brian.VA.USABrian - Burke, Va

Awesome Song ! I'll take this over Stairway to Heaven any dayMike - Hueytown , Al

One of the greatest tributes to a song is when it is referenced by another artist. Regina Spektor does this in her song "On the Radio". This plaintive song of loss includes the lines, "And on the radio, we heard November Rain, the solo's really long, but it's a pretty song . . .".Jerry - Brooklyn, Ny

Can someone please clear something up for me? Was it the LYRICS or the VIDEO that was inspired by the short story 'Without You' by Del James? Or was it both? Great song anyway, one of my favourites :)Courtenay - Brisbane, Australia

greatest live performance EVER. Look it up online, the 92 VMA's. You can find it pretty easily. Slash is just...beastly. Slash is definately one of teh best guitarists around. Ever.Dan - New York, Ny

actually this is the secound song of the trilogy..the first is Dont cry.then november rain then estrangedJeff - Sothington, Ct

Slash is a good guitarist, but give credit where credit is due. The blues rock guitarists like Duane Allman blow Slash and all your cool metal guitarists out of the water. 20 minute live solos all improvision, that is absolutely amazing. For real guitar playing listen to Allman Brothers Band Live at Fillmore East, tracks Liz Reed and Whipping Post.Ni - Mechanicsburg, Pa

Just a little FYI- Shannon Hoon is Axl's cousin, not just a friend. Seems to be some confusion surrounding this issue...Jackie - Ocean, Md

what a great song i mean what can i say that hasn't aready been said about this masterpiece of GNR. i love GNR so much it just kills me when people say that they hate them or Axls vocals are bad or even that they have nevber heard of them and when they say that all i can do is show them the best of the best song by them like sweet child of mine and Civil war but what most of all the people i show GNR to they all love this song NOVEMBER RAIN it is so good i mean the 2 solos i just cant get enough of this song! i have turn so many of my friends into GRN fans by this song! :) i love it so muchJake - Little Rock, Ar

Totally awesome end solo. Knocked me for six when I first heard it back in the day, lead me to get a Gn'R tatt, and I still tell all those who will listen to me that I WILL play this solo, (and that from Sweet Child o' Mine), before I die !!!!!Andy - Adelaide, Australia

One of Guns N' Roses top 5.Jon - Oakridge, Or

Axl and Hoon aren't cousins they grew up best friends in a small town in Indiana, Axl's real name is William BaileyKyle - St. Louis, Mo

No Matter what anyone says this is the greatest power ballard ever writen....2nd would be Estranged..3rd Winds of change 4th Angel.... and so on... I wasn't a gnr fan till a year ago and after listening to this song it made me take up the guitar..... and now i can saftley say that i can play almost any gnr song,riffs and guitar solos....this song can also be credited for combining the most musical instruments into one master piece:: violens,cellos,flute,piano,acoustic guitar,distortion guitar,synthesizer,backing vocals...GNR is the best hard rock band ever.... Oh and by the way on a scale of 1 to 10 of guitar playing Slash will get a 9 and Kurt Cobain will get a 3....and so will all the other pathetic guitarists mentioned here...Darren - Bombay, India

Everyone who has seen the November Rain video will get a kick out of this!!!! You'll read it and be like "thats exactly what I thought!"

http://www.udargo.com/burton/MTV/

Totally worth itJenny - Portland, Or

i love the 2nd solo i can play it one time it was raining and i played in in my garage it sounded awsome oh and any body got aim im me my screen name is wwwdavidwww15Dave - West Chester, Pa

Spencer, ur probably right.. But i do agree with Nathan on this point. Coz history says that whenever a Guitarist(or any musician) dies in his prime, that particular person is elevated 10 times! This is very unfair on the living legends, coz ppl try to downplay their importance and sort of reminiscence on the past and say "What if Mr X was still alive?" I say Mr. X would have been just as good as a living legend not greater. I hope im not confusing u people. i just wanted to get my point across. I purposely didn't take any names, but the references are quite clear.. ;) cheers!Xavier - Pune, India

Nathan, Practice what you preach pal. Dimebag was awesome, and I know that because ive been listening to pantera long before he died. also, kurt cobain was easily the most influential and talented guitarist of the 90's. You need to learn what it is that your talking about before you say it.Spencer - Mcbride, Canada

Yea Dylan, man you are definitely a music elitist. Just kidding, dude. You suck a**.

First, I would like to say that Dimebag Darryl isn't the greatest like everyone says, and anybody who knows a little about music agrees with me. He only began extremely popular when he died, so he is thought of more as a fad for fake metal fans than he is thought of as a great guitarist. And Kurt Cobain sucks at guitar, but Nirvana is awesome.

So dude, to put it short, your list is sh***. (Bleep) and listen to good music while you do it, just to educate yourself a little.Nathan - Gaycity, Gaystate, United States

According to me, Slash was the only musician who could make a Guitar weep! Its incredible! Can u believe that Rolling stone magazine did not feature Slash in its 100 Greatest guitarists of all time! The same stupid list had fools like U2's The Edge at 24!, whereas a legend like Angus young was at no.96! How gross is that?? check out the link here http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/?rnd=1141052517731&has-player=true&version=6.0.11.847Xavier - Pune, India

Having said that, I dont think its fair to compare this song with its '70s contemporaries. That was a different era altogether, never to come back again...Xavier - Pune, India

This is a great song! Definitely the best song of the 90's. Its my no.3 song of all time behind Stairway and Bohemian Rhapsody..Xavier - Pune, India

Someone put down Kurt Cobain as one of the best 5 metal guitarists!First off Nirvana certainly werent metal (they were grunge).secondly I'm a big fan of Nirvana but Kurt is no were near as talented as Slash on the guitar. I don't recall him doing any big solos like slash has done on november rain and slither!Declan - Liverpool, England

Dave Mustain? Kurt Nobrain? First.. Kurt wasn't "metal". Second, Dave Mustain isn't a great player by any standard. And Slash is not a metal player. Zakk Wylde ring any bells dude? Still a great song and a kick #ss band. Seen 'em live 5 times. They sucked 4 out of 5 but the fifth i'll never forget. And Shanon Hoon sang back up for don't cry, not for this song. Read the album booklets dude's. Zakk wrote a song for Shanon, it's on the book of shadows album and it's called sold my soul.Simon - Nijmegen, Netherlands

By far my favourite GNR song! The video (almost) moved me to tears. I really felt that Axl Rose really poured his heart and sould into this song, and Slash gave a beautiful guitar solo, possibly the best ever recorded! The song's explicit intensity is what makes the song great. The lyrics, the choir, the guitars all work together beautifully to produce the best metal ballad of all time!Reese - Calgary, Canada

What is it with everyone loving Slash, hes a great guitarist, but not the best.Here is my top 5 metal guitarists:1:Angus Young(AC/DC)2:Dimebag Darryl R.I.P(Pantera)3:Kurt Cobain R.I.P(Nirvana)4:Dave Murray(Iron Maiden)5:Dave Mustaine(Mettalica and MEGADETH)I prefer the latter.See did you see the word "Slash" there?NO!!!!!!!!!Dylan - Perth, Australia

The thing about this song that hits you is that all through it he's speaks of 'November Rain' as something very dark, something he doesn't dare face on his own and how he begs this other person to stay by his side so he wont have to face it. He then twists it in the end and says, "so never mind the darkness we still can find a way, 'cause nothing lasts forever even cold November Rains". The way the orchestra lifts the song immediately after this (especially in the Live Era version) is simply genious! There are so many positives to be taken from this song, and the best part is, it applies to any situation you can face! Axl broke the mold on this one (even though he screwed the band up) - job well done! Definately my fav. song of all time, despite the fact that I'm a fan of the classics.Corpus - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

yeah i don't believe estranged wasn't on greatest hits.. apparently geffen didn't want it to be on the album... weirdos.. and the slash solo on water is amazing!!Maya - Cal, United States

anyone who doesnt think that estranged is the greatest song written by gnfnr should be put in a looney bin. november rain is awesome too but estranged is one of the greatest rock operas ever written. it rivals with jesus of suburbia.Ryan - Mesa, Az

don't we all wish that we could rip the guitar like Slash... it'll be my dream come trueAaron - Columbus, Oh

this is for Vicki, the Greatest Hits compilation wasn't OK'd by any of the band members, it was completely done by the record company and the band didn't receive any royalties for it, Duff, Slash, and Matt took the company to court over the issue, haven't heard anything about it recentlySnake - Custer , Sd

This is my favorite song. This song always reminds me to never give up believing in myself because alot of people make fun of me because they think that I wont be a guitarist for a great band someday. S o whenever I feel down in the dump I listen to this song. This has the greatest solo ever. Slash is my favorite guitarist and he's my hero . This is the greatest song be cuase the lyrics and the rythm go perfect together. If you have never heard this song before, I strongly suggest you listen to it. peaceAdam - Memphis, Tn

I was lead to believe this was supposed to be the first of a trilogy of songs - November Rain, then Estranged, and one more to complete it. November Rain is about loss, Estranged is a lament about loneliness and isolation that seems to tie into November Rain. The third song was never completed due to the band splitting - has anyone heard of this? It is intriguing.Greg - Charleston, Sc

I love GNR there my favoite band. and this song is inpirational...along too is the video...i love slash's solo (i play guitar and i cant play it) and the video has a real lot of meaning. also the story this is based on is called "without you" by del james...i have it and it is one of my favoirte stories.Jeff - Sothington, Ct

I live just a couple miles away from where Slash was born. This is one of my fave GnR songs, with Sweet Child and Paradise City :-)Kathy - N-u-l, England

Tom, from Trowbridge, England.. I totally agree with you.. Why wasn't Estranged on the Greatest Hits?? it definitely rocks as hard as November Rain, Sweet Child O' Mine, and definitely more than Sympathy for the Devil and others.. But like Slash said in an interview once, they didn't even get to pick what was on the Greatest Hits.. If Slash and Duff had any say with it, I bet it would have kicked much more butt then it already does..Which is hard to believe.. GNR rock!Vicki - Miramichi, Canada

Shannon Hoon wasn't Axl's cousin! he was an old friend of his sister back in Indiana. Perhaps friend of Axl...Rose invited Hoon to sing back-up vocals on several tracks... I like this ! :-) this is a very cool video!! And the wedding dress is the best!Jen - Ft Lauderdale, Fl

when i'm busted or in dull i use to hear gnr(usually almost all songs). it grabs me n i use tofeel am one of the band member singin n crushin guitar-Ragu,Tn,IndiaRagu - Coimbatore, India

November Rain is most diffinetely the best song from the 20th century. It's also one of the deepest songs i kno, especially after watching the video, you fall inlove even more with the song. The lyrics and musicals are so powerfull that even after 10 years that i listen to it, i still manage to get chills. I wish we could have good bands like this today but thats why we still listen to Guns and Roses. Basically this song is just amazing!!V - Montreal, Canada

Guns N' Roses are the greatest band in the world! November Rain is just one of there greatest songs of all time.. Axl Rose is the sexiest male on this earth and Stephanie must be luckiest!Ana,VICAna - Melbourne, Australia

Slash is so coolE - Vancouver, Canada

Man This Song is my favourite song of all time by my favourite band

For any of you that think that its not hard enough for GNR you can kiss my bum cause this song actually has a meaning and it really speaks to me and many other people...... I wish Slash and Axl would make up and make some more great songs cause if they did it could be possible however unlikley that they may be able to top thisRory - Perth, Australia

and don't you just love her wedding dress!C - Vic, Australia

well for me slash's performance in dat song was awesome ,he has da perfect sense for playin lead guitar .november rain contains 3 solos theyre all also awesome especially da last one this song is ma favorite song since i ever started hearing music.Ramez - Cairo, Egypt

This is my favorites song..it makes me cry whenever I hear it..my best friend died a month ago and this song reminds me of him..Martin - Svendborg, Denmark

Slash doesn't look like a Saul, does he? Anyway, his solo is amazing. This song is probably one of my favorites! And, Brian at the bottom, I doubt anyone will ever be able to wear a top hat out in midlle of the desert and look even ten percent as cool as Slash.Collin - Texas, Tx

Hey i dont exactly know whats going on in the november rain video so could somebody please leave a comment saying what its all about. Because axl marrys one woman in a white dress then he's pictured cutting the cake with a women in a black dress. PLEASE HELP!!!Duncan - Dundee, Scotland

I remember watching something on the top 100 guitar solos and slash pulled off number one. but fair dos they are fantastic solos - i have them set for different lines on my phone, i think the orchestra at the start is just kinda stating that this is an epic song - full stop!!!Kaz - Hereford, England

Very damn good song, personal favorite, the final solo Slash does is unbelievable. GnR are one of the greatest bands ever and this is one of their finest songs if not the finest song they've done.Zenyth - Kamloops, Canada

velvet revolver!!! thats the band thats there all in exect the singer. so...um there you go.Bill - Dorest , Al

has any one heard the just piano version and the austic guiater version....it brings tears to your eyes....not that the orinal one dosn't.Bill - Dorest , Al

i personaly love if any bands try somthing new and orignal (being the reason why i like guns n roses.) plus them being great what they do. im play paino myself and i can play the first riff for hours... but i don't.if you lot miss guns n roses alot you shuld now that theres another band they i think there all in now exect the singer.Bill - Dorest , Al

Erm, I thought I should point something out...In the video, when Axl is taking the tablets at the start, pause the vid...You should see a statue of Jesus on the cross with his head, one arm and one leg cut off on the bed side table...FREAKY!!!Terry - Uk, England

hey guys if you wanna see the video the first time i saw it i was watching 100 metal moments on vh1 classic and it came on. but also i know it won an 1992 mtv award so when mtv awards come they always show past winner videos so when 1992 come on im pretty sure it will be shownMia - Wellston, Mi

November Rain is one of my favorite songs. Do you think that this song could also be portrayed as the band breaking up? That was my first impression when i seen the music video. In the beginning it seems like slash axl gilby matt and duff are all togethher having good times with eachother and then it seems after slash hugs duff and leaves the church that the band is going seperate ways. The first solos seem like slash is going his way and axl is going the other way. thats just a thoughtDan - Niagara Falls, Ny

Beautiful Song. I agree that this would be considered the greatest song if it had been written 20 years previously. The Lyrics are Great. There is such a Diversity in the Instruments. Example: There is Distorted Guitar while at the same time there are Woodwinds playing. Haven't seen the Music Video but I want to. Where Can I See It?Conor - Vancouver, Canada

This is like, the saddest video ever, when axls girl dies at the end, its so sad, hes just stood crying...i wanna hug him! and slash's guitar solo is just amazin, i love that man so much!!the best bit of the song is the end, they just explode into music, its just the best, ever (apart from sweet child o' mine lol)Amy - Leeds, England

people say stair way to heaven is the best rock song ever, but this wipes the floor with it, and the video is just unbelievable, and as for the solo, well.....Robert - Leeds, England

November Rain is my favourite song of all.The lyrics powerfully connect emotions of hope/despair, rejection/love "If you want to love me, then darling don't refrain or I'll just end up walking in the cold November rain."Who was the beautiful redheaded wedding guest in the church scene? I've always thought she was Axle's half sister? The melancholy tone throughout is beautifully poignant, showing a sad,troubled, Axle Rose crippled literally/In real life he appears to be emotionally scarred and in need of inner healing.Jussara - Auckland, New Zealand

I like the last minute and a halfMarlon - Nyc, Ny

I'm very torn by this song...on one side, the lyrics and guitar work are incredible, and the other instrument (I think it is an organ) is incredible...but yet at the same time, it seems almost too emotional for Guns and Roses to be singing...I am more used their songs like "Welcome to the Jungle" and Sweet Child of Mine"...anyone else feel like this?Scott - Nyc, Ny

November Rain is absolutely fantastic! Next to Sweet Child O mine and Knockin on heaven's door. Axls voice, and Slash's guitar are awesome. I wish that they could be back together. They are so talented. I am a piano player and am playing November Rain..its fun and beautiful....kelKelly - Phoenix, Az

I always liked that song and the video. When I was about 3 years old my mother never liked to see me watching that video... November Rain is one of the songs I really love.Vera - Altdorf, Germany

well... this is the best song ever!!! and slash's solo is PERFECTJosue - Guayaquil, South America

one of the best guitar solos...slash made the guitar really criedNoli - Manila, Other

me and my friends almost cry everytime we hear this song...hey, just wondrin why the man jumped on the cake??? it's a really contoversial scene for a music video...Noli - Manila, Other

The greatest love song in rock of the century. Slash gives us music at its best with his guitar solos, and I just wonder if I'll ever hear anything quite so breathtaking in my life ever again. Besides, the video kicked *ss with slash on top of axl's piano!!Charlotte - Paris, France

It is said that if you play November Rain in November on a rainy day, Slash will appear ghost like and throw his guitar off a cliff but some say that it is a myth. I don't know, I wouldn't try if you know what's good for you.Scott - Hillsborough, Nj

I've heard that this song was written for Izzy Stradlin originally, and that the inclusion of it on the Illusions album ultimately led to him leaving the band.

Not sure if it's true but some of the lyrics do seem to point towards the strained relationship between stradlin and rose near the end.Ted - Kingston, Canada

the video (and song i presume) is based on a ture story of a rockers young bride who commited suicide. so its kind of a bit morbid that axls girlfriend at the time played the bride i think.it is an brilliant epic song, and slash's solo is fantastic, even though i dont normally like g'n'rAlanwhite - Macclesfield, England

1, The guy didn't have to jump through the cake, he happened to do it - It also symbolises the break up of the marriage (in death)

2, Katie from Rockville: If Slash isn't dead and he's in Velvet Revolver and plays exactly the same, how can you say he WAS an amazing guitar player? He still IS an amazing guitar player in my books.

3, Mike Stipe and Axle Rose are not relatedLuke - Manchester, England

This has one of the best opens ever. That is what makes a song good. GNR always has awesome openings. THis is a song I wish I wrote. I LOVE AXL!Jammie - Deckerville, Mi

One of the greatest songs of all time!Jammie - Deckerville, Mi

deilah, new york, United States - Apparently if you go by the Del James story 'without you' that inspired the video she shot herself in the head after she walked in on her rock star husband (AXL) cheating on her. i have the story here thanks to Vam, Beijing, China, if anyone wants it drop me a mail to - adrian.devereux@wda.co.uk and I'll email it onAdrian - Merthyr Tydfil, Al

me and a couple of friends think y that dude jumped into the cake to get out of the rain and y the lady died is because ....... of acid rain!!!!!!Annita - Co.derry, Ireland

oh my god! guns n roses are amazing there lyrics speak to me in a way i cant relate to. oh by the way how does axls girlfriend die in the end. does she kill herself?Deilah - New York, United States

November Rain is definitely one of the all time great rock ballads - I found it interesting after reading the Guns n roses book that this was also Axl's favourite song, just watching the video you can tell that a lot of love went into it - ClassicAdrian - Merthyr Tydfil, Al

"we've been through this such a long long time just trying to kill the pain" really kills me too...I have the short story 'Without You', if someone want it,please mail me spookyvam@gmail.com, and use the subject -'Without You'Vam - Beijing, China

This is probably one of the most devestating songs I've ever heard (the line "we've been thru this such a long long time/just trying to kill the pain" really kills me). I'm surprised this song wasn't included in the recent Rolling Stone 500...I'll never understand why the ppl at RS included some rather unforgetable songs in their list yet overlooked this oneMelissa - Green Bay, Wi

The guitar solo from Novenber Rain is ranked #6 in Guitar World Magazine's reader's pole for the top 100 greatest guitar solos of all time.Elliot - Toronto, Canada

Little known fact..Michael Stipe of REM and Axl Rose are half brothers!

I personally think that the 3rd solo in November Rain is the best guitar solo ever written and there isn't a person on the planet who can recreate it with the magic that Slash did/does/ever will do.Ted - Kingston, Canada

Requesting:November rain, Short story without you by Del James.zoe_jbj23@hotmail.comZoe - Perth, Wa

i love GNR because their songs have meaning! i have a hard time finding songs these days, 90% of new songs dont have meaning! GNR was great together axls voice is amazing and slash stands out a mile away he has great talent! i think "dont cry" is a great song because i can relate and "november rain" is a fantastic song and you cant pass the film clip! i cant get a hold of the original short story "without you" by Del James if anyone is generous enough could you please email me the story thankyouZoe - Perth, Wa

I never liked this video because I thought it implied that he killed her and it creeped me out. But I always wanted to read the short story it was supposed to echo to know "the real story."Erin - Kingsland, Ga

I had heard from somebody that this song was also based on a novel by the same name. The novels story runs similiar to the video itself.John - Brooklyn, Ny

Tom I agree with you:)Faruna - Shanghai, China

I agree that if this song was older it would considered much better, but I still think it is an amazing song. I love slow rock songsShana - Pembroke, Canada

this is my second favorite guns n' roses song, next to sweet child of mine. slash was an amazing guitar player then and, unlike axl, is still amazing now. slash is now playin guitar for velvet revolver (along with duff on bass and matt on drums)and im going to see them live. i can't wait.Katie - Rockville, Md

this is my second favorite guns n' roses song, next to sweet child of mine. slash was an amazing guitar player then and, unlike axl, is still amazing now. slash is now playin guitar for velvet revolver and im going to see them just for him.Katie - Rockville, Md

Tom, that is an interesting point. It would certainly be more recognised as a great song if it was older.James - Bransgore, England

If this had been written twenty years previously it would be considered the greatest song ever. Anyone agree?Tom - Trowbridge, England

I could not get enough of the video when I was pregnant with my first child. I recorded it off of MTV and watched it over and over. Still today, it is one of my favorites.Priscilla - Rutherfordton, Nc

john, seattle, WA: Excellent post, though I question the title relegated to Axl ("Axl Poser.") He epitomizes the oft-used (and demonstrated) cliche of the artist that is consumed by their egotism. Therefore, I would be hesitant to call him a "Poser" in any sense of the word. While I must agree that he and his musical ability have turned into caricatures of their former selves, he nevertheless did live the proverbial life of a world-famous rock star. Guns N' Roses is yet another example of how one person's ego can ruin the productivity of a band, as well as the admiration of loving fans.Pedantic Wit - Madison, Wi

To answer a question below, yes Shannon Hoon was the other singer in the "Dont Cry" video..Nick - Arlington Heights, Il

My friend had a bootleg copy of this song way before the Use Your Illusions came out that was just Axl and a piano and nothing more.James - Covina, Ca

I looked it up, and yes it is him, but one of the statements this site wrote was wrong in regards to the kin. Hoon knew Axl through Hoon's half brother and sister. They are not cousins.Nicoletta - Bronx, Ny

In regards to the Blind Melon singer...was he in the "Don't Cry" video also? My cousin and I are in an argument about it. I say it's the same guy, Hoon, but he disagrees.Nicoletta - Bronx, Ny

by the way, stephanie seymour is NOT jane seymour's daughterJulia - London, England

"the real question is, why does the guy dive through the cake just to get out of the rain?" Was it a McArthur Park reference???Ken - Manchester, England

Axl Poser gave a few interviews about this video.. he described it as the video version of a series of short stories that a friend of his wrote. They were stories about a "famous rock star who goes over the edge and has a breakdown." REALLY original idea, huh? During the same interview Axl said, incredibly puffed up with his self-grandiousity, "After reading them all, I realized that the stories were about me! I'd lived it." Somewhere in the world there must exist a short story or two about a 40-something fatass who does nothing all day, but I doubt Axl would say that art follows life in this way for him.John - Seattle, Wa

well THE greatest G N' R song they ever did. The guitar solo at the end is Vintage Slash. Not the greatest Rock ballad ever but it's up there.Ben - Adelaide, Australia

In regards to the video, i'd have to say it's my favourite video ever, really because of the sheer magnitude of it all:- the orchestra, the guy that falls through the cake et al. But I think the most poignant part of the whole video is right at the end, where the bouquet of floweres is thrown at the wedding and then it cuts to flowers being thrown on the coffin. Shows you just how short life is. I also like the video to 'Estranged' which is even longer than 'November Rain'; it runs about 10 minutes. The best bits have to be the dolphins swimming through the streets and Slash's solo as he rises up out of the water and just rides the current with his feet, which again shows just how cool he is! But I was really annoyed that 'Estranged' wasn't included on the 'Greatest Hits' album; I'd say it's the 3rd best GN'R song, after 'Sweet Child O' Mine' and 'November Rain'.Tom - Trowbridge, England

When they say it's the longest guitar solo in a Top-10 single do they mean them all together (there's 3 in total) or separately? If it's separately, well I don't think any of them are particularly long though they are all fantastic; Slash has to be the coolest guitarist of all time!Tom - Trowbridge, England

The guitar in the ending section of the song is amazing, perfect.Kelly - Los Angeles, Ca

Louis that is very funny! i was asking myself the exact same questionJulia - London, England

Beautiful song...I love it, I love the way it builds up to that massive finish. Its up there with the classic seven or eight minute songs.Geoff - Adelaide, Australia

In the video, after the storn during the wedding party, there is a shot of wine spilling on a table, this is a reference to the belief that spilling wine at a wedding is bad luck.David - Toronto, Canada

My late bro merle loved this song. It makes me cry whenever i hear it. I luv the guitar solo salsh does in the video.Melanie - Gatineau, Canada

this song means alot to me, very well written and has lots of meaningMishel - Madera, Ca

pity they never did anything after this!Paul_marlow - Perth, Australia

the real question is, why does the guy dive through the cake just to get out of the rain?Louis - London, England

One of the all time great songs, one of the best guitar solos ever. I remember being a kid watching the video, just praying that I could wear a top hat out in the middle of the desert with my hair in my face, and be half as cool as Slash.Brian - Paoli, In